Making observations Flashcards
(68 cards)
Reliability
ability to get the same results if you repeat your test/ measurement under similar conditions
more variability = less reliable
Reliability of physical measures
e.g. height or weight
repeatedly measure a fixed quantity of the variable
taking the variation in the variable to get a precise measurement result
Reliability of Population estimates
measurement of opinion, attitude
we can just estimate the average value of the variable when we take a sample of the whole population
Margin of error = there can be a variation from sample to sample
Reliability of psychological tests of measurement
tendency to change over time
test-restest reliability
that you administer the test twice with a longer amount of time in between
Use: assessing stable characteristics of individuals e.g. intelligence
variable is unlikely to change over time
-you can extend the amount of time that participants won’t remember the first test
Parallel forms reliability
Goal: not remembering the questions from the previous test
- 2nd administration: using a similar form (items are equivalent to the one in the first form)
- assessing the same knowledge, skills
Problem:
- if the forms are not that equivalent they may change the results/performance
Split- half reliability
two parallel forms of the test in one test
rated and scored separately
Validity
does a test/measurement really measure what it should/ is intended to measure
Forms of validity
- Face validity
- Content validity
- Criterion- related validity
- Construct validity
Face validity
how well a measurement instrument (e.g. test of intelligence) appears to measure (just by its appearance) what it is designed to measure
e.g. mathematical ability - Mathematical problem
Content validity
how good does the test represents the learned knowledge, skills, behavior that it is actually designed to measure
e.g. final exam
Criterion-related validity
use of test score of an individual to make predictions on another scale.
- concurrent validity: comparing with a established test
- predict validity (later outcome)
e.g. using high school grades to predict the success at the college
Construct validity
not observable variable
developed to explain a behavior or idea with a theory (e.g. free will)
Having a concept in mind about
theoretical construct
(e.g. low self-esteem related to higher fast food consumption
Differences in measurement
- measures can be reliable but inaccurate
- measure can be reliable but not invalid
- measure is unreliable; low validity
Differences in validity
- External validity= better to generalize
- internal validity= making better prediction about a behavior
e. g. intelligence, self-esteem, motivation)
Difference in sensitivity
some dependent variable are more sensitive to manipulations than others
Range effects
- floor effect
2. ceiling effect
floor effect
variable reaches the lowest possible value
- task too difficult= everyone scores low
- low range limit
ceiling effect
variable reaches the highest possible value
- too easy task= too many score high
- top-range limit
Behavioral measurements
- Frequency of responding =counting the number of how many times the behavior during a specific period
- latency= how long does it take until someone responds to a stimulus
Reactivity of human
- social history of participant
- personal interpretations = guide behavior
observed behavior = not the normal behavior
Demand characteristics
= cues from the experimenter/context that communicate the purpose of the study
asking what is the experiment about
- pre-existing attitude of the participant
- paying attention to irrelevant cues
- formulating hypothesis about the nature of the experiment
Role attitude cues
signal for the participant to change the attitude; conforming to a new role of participant
Cooperative attitude
strong desire to please the experimenter
-helping science
-desire to perform as well as possible
= good participant effect